Peru 1946 5 centavos

The five centavos denomination was originally occupied by the silver medio dinero, struck 1863-1917. It was superseded by a copper-nickel coin in 1918, which was replaced by this type in 1942 when World War Two drove up the price of nickel. The weight of the coin was reduced even further in 1966 and issued in this size until 1973, when mintage was suspended, inflation having made the denomination useless. This date, a product of the Lima mint, is common, altho there is a scarce 1946/5 overdate. There are many date position varieties. This type is accompanied by brass ten and twenty centavos.